Donny Deutsch: Trump’s North Korea Rhetoric Is ‘Needed at This Point’

Former CNBC host Donny Deutsch, an avid Donald Trump critic, on Friday offered rare praise to the president for his tough rhetoric on North Korea.

Deutsch told MSNBC host Joe Scarborough that he believes what Trump has said this week regarding North Korea is “needed at this point.”

Tensions have been high in recent days between the two countries as Pyongyang continues to develop its nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. Trump has warned North Korea that he may respond with military action if the rogue country continues to threaten the U.S. and act “unwisely.” Trump’s comments have created a media firestorm.

But Deutsch, who has frequently castigated Trump, said a tougher posture is necessary, Mediaite reported.

“You know, nobody has been more critical of Trump,” Deutsch said on “Morning Joe.” “I didn’t have a huge problem with what he did, to tell you the truth.”

Deutsch told Scarborough that he thought he was “dancing around” giving credit to Trump for standing up to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

“We have a leader in North Korea whose only objective is to stay in power,” Deutsch said. “And I actually think that rhetoric was kind of needed at this point.”